Ashley McBryde Delivers Emotional Tribute To Dolly Parton With A Powerful Performance Of “Coat Of Many Colors”

Ashley McBryde paid tribute to one of country music’s most beloved voices on October 21, delivering a heartfelt performance of Dolly Parton’s “Coat of Many Colors” during a special television celebration honoring the late singer’s extraordinary life and legacy.

The performance was part of CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton, a two-hour tribute featuring some of the biggest names in country music and entertainment. As McBryde brought the deeply personal song to life, an image of the original coat sewn by Parton’s mother appeared on the screen behind her, adding another layer of meaning to the moment.

At the conclusion of her performance, McBryde placed a hand over her heart in a quiet gesture of respect for the woman whose music had touched generations of listeners.

Parton died at the age of 80 on August 25, 2026, leaving behind a remarkable legacy as a singer, songwriter, philanthropist and entrepreneur. Her influence extended far beyond her countless hit records, encompassing charitable initiatives such as the Imagination Library and Dollywood, the amusement park in her home state of Tennessee.

Yet some of her most enduring stories were told through her songs. Few captured her personal history as intimately as “Coat of Many Colors,” making McBryde’s choice particularly fitting for the occasion.

Ashley McBryde Brings New Emotion To Dolly Parton’s “Coat Of Many Colors”

Released in 1971, “Coat of Many Colors” served as the title track of Parton’s eighth solo studio album. The song drew inspiration from her childhood, recounting how her mother made her a coat from scraps of fabric.

Rather than focusing on the garment’s modest materials, Parton’s lyrics celebrated the love and care behind it. The story also draws a parallel with the biblical account of Joseph and his multicolored coat in Genesis 37, connecting a personal childhood memory with a familiar scriptural story.

That combination of family, faith and childhood experience helped establish the song as one of Parton’s most personal and cherished works.

For McBryde, the opportunity to perform it carried particular significance. In an interview with Everything Nash ahead of the tribute, the country singer spoke about what Parton had taught her as both a performer and a songwriter.

“Dolly Parton was how I found out that, just because you’re a singer/songwriter/entertainer, that does not exclude you from being an actor,” McBryde explained, recalling how watching Parton in the film 9 to 5 helped her recognize the many possibilities within an entertainment career.

She also admired Parton’s ability to turn everyday experiences into compelling songs, describing how even an ordinary moment could become something magical through the right storytelling.

That appreciation made “Coat of Many Colors” an especially meaningful choice. By performing a song rooted in Parton’s own upbringing, McBryde helped bring the story behind the music to a new audience while honoring the songwriter who created it.

A Star-Studded Celebration Of Dolly Parton’s Legacy

The October 21 special brought together more than 20 performers to celebrate Parton’s contributions to music and entertainment. The lineup included Ashley McBryde, Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Reba McEntire, Vince Gill, Lainey Wilson, Carly Pearce, Kristin Chenoweth, Darius Rucker, Kelsea Ballerini, Little Big Town, Zac Brown and several other artists.

Among the evening’s highlights was a performance of “9 to 5” by Carly Pearce and Kristin Chenoweth, offering another tribute to one of Parton’s best-known songs. The show concluded with the assembled performers joining together for “I Will Always Love You,” one of the defining songs of Parton’s career.

The event also reflected the continuing importance of Parton’s charitable work. The Country Music Association and Belmont University announced that proceeds from the special would support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the literacy initiative that provides free books to children.

Originally broadcast live on ABC and Disney+ in the United States and internationally, CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton is also available on Hulu beginning the following day.

Through McBryde’s performance of “Coat of Many Colors,” the celebration returned to one of the simplest yet most powerful elements of Parton’s legacy: her ability to transform a personal memory into a song that resonates with people far beyond her own life.

More than five decades after its release, the song continues to carry the story of a young girl, a handmade coat and a mother’s love, reminding listeners why Parton’s songwriting remains so deeply cherished.